Soon2Be Proud Owner of 1 Fine 69!

[ChrisK10]

Yay! I saw an ad in a local for-sale forum about a 69 4x4 for sale for a pretty good price, and it looked pretty good in the picture. I went down with my dad last night to check it out, and I wasn't disappointed with what I saw! By no means is it perfect, but it's going to be a very good start. Better than my 65 4x4 project anyways, which sadly to say, I will probably be selling in the near future. It's just too much of a project for me. I'm going to give the previous owner of the 65 the chance to buy it back, if he doesnt want it, I will list it here on the board and locally. When/if I do, I would like to sell it mostly together if possible... Anyways back to the good news!

It is a 1969 4x4 body on an 85 frame and running gears. It has lock-out hubs and 3.73 gears. It has power steering, but manual brakes. It's on 35" tires with a rednecked body lift. And I mean rednecked... 2x2" square tubing was used to life the body off of the frame about 6". The 350 engine is from a 79 truck, which had about 79,000 miles on it when it was put in this truck about 5 years ago. He said it was overheated once a few years ago and may have a bent rod, but it didn't sound that bad when I test drove it last night. The body is pretty much dent free , but has some rust, but mostly only in the rockers, some of the supports under the cab, the cab corners, the metal bed floor, and a couple of the crossmembers under the bed. There is hardly any rust elsewhere. The grille is in decent shape, with only one major ding, and with some TLC, it will look pretty nice. There is no tailgate , but I may know someone that might sell one to me. The interior was pretty messy, but I think once it gets cleaned up it will look pretty decent. A few small things were missing, like armrests, and the rearview mirror wasn't mounted. The toolbox in the bed comes with it and doesn't look that bad, but it's not very heavy-duty. The exhaust is pretty much gone.

After I bring it home, I will need to do a few things to it. The major thing that needs to be done soon will be to put new exhaust on it. Other than that I will just clean it up, and fix/buy things that are missing. Small things like that. I probably won't remove the redneck lift until spring, but if I get sick enough of it, it may be done over the winter, we'll see. Once that is gone, I will put a 4" suspension lift underneath. It will look much better once that is done. Rust repair will be needed, but I'm not sure when that will get done. Maybe this winter, but probably next spring. I can't wait!

I have a football game this afternoon at 2 pm, and I'm going to call the owner this evening to make final plans. I hope to be able to drive it home tommorow afternoon!

[moneyguru]

Quote"And I mean rednecked... 2x2" square tubing was used to life the body off of the frame about 6". "

Could this have been their solution on how to mount the body on the newer frame? I haven't done this swap it, but I could swear that I read that it isn't that simple. I would check into this thoroughly before even considering the truck.

Second concern is the areas of rust you described, repairable and common but not an easy fix. Do you have the skills needed to do it or will you be paying someone else?

Third engine, how could you tell how well it ran without an exhaust? If he cobbled together the body mount system it makes me worry about what the engine has had done to it.

Let's add it up, red-necked body mount system (what else is rednecked), unknown mileage motor that has been overheated and may have damage done to it (plan on a rebuild), rust in all the trouble spots (not cheap if you have ot pay someone to do it).

I'm not saying this couldn't be a good truck, but it better be a cheap one. Be cautious with this truck and don't let your emotions get the best of you.
I would recommend posting several pics of the truck including the body mount system and the rust spots, it'll yield good thorough advice.



Good luck

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Look's like a good start but damn that body lift has got to go......

[frost89434]

Looks like a nice one

[Canadian694x4]

Sweet Truck! Just a little too much body lift tho...

[chevy_fatman]

BUY IT!! board member Mudder is the man to talk to about the newer frame and lift, he did it on his awesome truck.

And that lift ain't nothing compared to this baby here

[1969 GMC]

Chris,
I would really be concerned about that body lift. How did he address the steering shaft? Are the tubes welded on or bolted? Are the brake hoses stretched out?

I would not drive that thing on the road, personally. Think about making an emercency stop and having the cab fly off the frame because his redneck body lift broke! I would remove it as soon as possible. Also, check the frame for cracks by the steering column.
If you're getting it for a good enough price, I'd still go for it if the body is in decent shape.

[ChrisK10]

You guys all make good points concerning what I should be cautioned about it. And I am taking your advice on waiting, and finding out more before I decide to buy it. I just called the owner and told him I was gonna think about it for a while longer. In the mean time, my dad told me about a really nice 71 chevy 3/4 ton with a big block, that would be ready to be tagged and driven, instead of doing all this kind of work to get things the way I want for a driver now. We're gonna take a look at it tommorow. Decisions, decisions!

Thanks for the advice too guys!

[moneyguru]

Chris,

Sounds like your thinking straight. 4X4 big block, sure sounds nice!

Never owned a big block, how many gallons to the mile?
OK OK so I'm jealous mine is a small 350, but hey it's a GMC and their cool!



Keep on trucking!

Chris aka moneyguru

[ChrisK10]

Alright, the deal fell through, when I called him he said not to be disheartened if he decided not to sell it. Well, he just sent me an email and he has decided not to sell it, oh well! Maybe it's a good thing, more work that I thought originally. Still gonna look at the 71 tommorow though...

[ChrisK10]

Oh by the way, the 71 isn't 4x4... ... Oh well, still plenty of

[Blue Beard]

No matter what you start with....they are all good starting points.

I don't think a single unit I've bought had everything right when purchased.

And we are always working on them or changing things.

[wHATANERD]

If the price is right on the 71 I would snatch it up in a heartbeat. It might not be a 4X4, but on a positive note it will have disc brakes, and be safer.

[ChrisK10]

Alrighty then, I went and looked at the 71 today... not disappointed!

It's a 71 Chevy 2wd 3/4 ton camper special. It has an 84 drivetrain including 454 engine, TH400 tranny, 3.73 posi rear end. It has a very straight body (no dents), some rust but not much (cab support is rusted, a little in the bottom section of the door, inside the box in the corners)... aftermarket grille... tailgate is in good condition... custom paintjob (mostly white with mixed rainbow metallic, and a dark blue on the bottom with 2 pinstripes), nothing fantastic, but it looks nice, except for a couple of runs (gotta look for em)... power steering, power brakes, A/C (missing compressor and brackets only)... weatherstripping doesnt need replaced... truck runs and drives VERY nice, started right up. The interior is fairly nice, bench seat in good condition, door panels fair/good condition, gauges work except the speedo is off (needs diff gear) and factory temp gauge doesnt work, but there is a digital gauge that works, and it has an aftermarket stereo (nothing special) that sounds decent with newer speakers in the kick panels. The tires and rims are fair, but I would be replacing them soon. It's basically just something nice that I can buy and drive... and touch-up as I go.

Now I just gotta get a small loan from the bank!

BTW- What would you guys estimate a truck like I described being worth?

[ZOOMY]

A running 454 with TH400 is worth at least $1K. If the truck is half decent, that's another $1K, So $2K min.